Playoff loss to Westview ends Warrior boys water polo season

The 2006 Fallbrook High School boys water polo season came to an end November 9 when the Warriors lost 10-8 to Westview High School in the first round of the CIF Division I playoffs.

“Good game, but we’re done,” said Fallbrook coach Bob Lamont.

The loss at Westview ended Fallbrook’s season with an overall record of 12-16, including a 5-5 Avocado League mark which placed the Warriors fourth in the conference.

Fallbrook led Westview during the first half, holding a 2-0 lead after one quarter and a 4-2 cushion at halftime. “We played really well for the first half,” Lamont said.

Westview scored all five third-period goals to take a 7-4 lead. “They turned it around there,” Lamont said. “That’s where the wheels came off.”

Although Fallbrook outscored the Wolverines in the fourth period, that only narrowed the deficit from three goals to two.

“They played hard for four quarters, we played hard for three, and that’s kind of the difference,” Lamont said.

“I have to salute them,” Lamont said of Westview. “They were the better team to come through in the third quarter like that.”

Stott Bushnell led Fallbrook with three goals while Steve Reichel and Trent Kirby had two goals apiece and Jacob Pril had one goal. Reichel also had three steals and Pril had an assist. Fallbrook goalie Gerson Esteban had a season-high 14 saves.

“I think we gained some experience out of that one and are going to come back next year as a stronger, smarter team,” Lamont said.

The Warrior water polo team had five seniors, three of whom were starters. The other starters consisted of two juniors, a sophomore, and a freshman.